Us endomembrane structure that extends from cell soma toward pre-synaptic terminals, axons, dendrites, and dendritic spines (Berridge, 1998). ER-dependent Ca2+ release is achieved by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3 ) receptors (InsP3 Rs) or by ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which discharge Ca2+ in response to InsP3 and Ca2+ itself, respectively, as outlined by the mechanism of Ca2+ -induced Ca2+ release (CICR; Berridge, 1998; Verkhratsky, 2005; Figure 1). Capacitative calcium entry (CCE) or store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) represents a peculiar mode of Ca2+ entry, which can be activated following depletion in the ER Ca2+ pool in non-excitable cells (Parekh and Putney, 2005; Abdullaev et al., 2008; S chez-Hern dez et al., 2010; Di Buduo et al., 2014; Moccia et al., 2014b). This pathway has been extensively investigated in immune cells exactly where it is actually mediated by extremely Ca2+ -selective Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels(Hogan et al., 2010; Shaw et al., 2013). The Ca2+ current carried by CRAC channels has been termed ICRAC and is accountable for refilling the ER Ca2+ store soon after agonist-induced Ca2+ mobilization (Parekh and Putney, 2005; Potier and Trebak, 2008; Parekh, 2010; Moccia et al., 2012, 2014b); moreover, ICRAC delivers a Ca2+ signal that is spatially restricted to the sub-membranal domain and recruits certain Ca2+ -dependent decoders (Parekh and Putney, 2005; Parekh, 2010; Dragoni et al., 2011; Moccia et al., 2012). Stromal interaction molecule 1 (Stim1) is the ER Ca2+ sensor activating CRAC channels on the plasma membrane (PM; Roos et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2005), whereas Orai1 is the pore forming element of CRAC channels (Feske et al., 2006; Vig et al., 2006; Yeromin et al., 2006). SOCE has extended been thought to become absent or negligible in neurons (Putney, 2003), which gain quick access to the virtually infinite extracellular Ca2+ reservoir via VOCCs and ROCs. Nevertheless,Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience | www.frontiersin.orgApril 2015 | 2-Methylbenzoxazole Autophagy Volume 9 | ArticleMoccia et al.Stim and Orai in brain BEC Data Sheet neuronsearlier function demonstrated that a functional SOCE was present in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons (Emptage et al., 2001; Baba et al., 2003) and dentate granule cells (Baba et al., 2003). These studies showed that SOCE refills endogenous Ca2+ shops, governs spontaneous neurotransmitter release, and regulates each quick and long-term synaptic plasticity in central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, a defective SOCE was related to serious neurodegenerative disorders, which include Huntington’s disease (HD; Wu et al., 2011), Alzheimer’s illness (AD; Leissring et al., 2000; Yoo et al., 2000), and spongiform encephalopathies (Lazzari et al., 2011). It is, consequently, not surprising that Stim and Orai proteins happen to be found in each cultured neurons and brain sections and found to play a relevant role for synaptic transmission and higher cognitive functions (BernaErro et al., 2009; Klejman et al., 2009; Skibinska-Kijek et al., 2009; Keil et al., 2010; Ng et al., 2011; Steinbeck et al., 2011; Henke et al., 2013; Hartmann et al., 2014; Korkotian et al., 2014; Lalonde et al., 2014). Herein, we aim at providing a concise overview about the distribution and functions of Stim and Orai proteins in central neurons by focussing on their part in the maintenance of ER Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+ ]ER ), within the formation and maturation of dendritic spines and in gene expression. We also analyze the evidence in favor of Stim and Orai.